April 2016

Paws for thought

We're baaaack! After a far too long absence we are pleased to publish our first newsletter in almost 18 months. 2015 proved to be a record year for Knight Inlet Lodge and while that is a very good thing it did mean projects such as the newsletter took a backseat to daily operations.

First of all and probably most importantly, to many readers, our grizzly bear population is healthy and doing great.

Every year we are treated to some excellent video footage courtesy of researchers Dr Melanie Clapham and John Kitchin. 3 of our favourites since our last newsletter are:

1. Grizzly bear versus go pro camera click here
2. Lenore and her new cub Stella click here
3. Jacques the diving bear click here

The 2016 booking season is off to a flying start with the month of September sold out along with select dates in August and October. If you are looking to book we do recommend doing so ASAP. For guests thinking about a visit in 2017 we will open reservations on August 1st for next year. If you would like us to send you a reminder in late July just drop us an email at info@grizzlytours.com and we will do so.

We always look forward to returning guests and in 2016 we'll say "welcome back" to a number of guests including 2 couples visiting for the 4th time and 1 couple making their 5th visit.

2015 was the first season of having our guests stay at the brand new Comfort Inn & Suites in Campbell River. This modern, centrally located hotel proved to be an excellent addition to our packages. Our thanks to Comfort Inn & Suites Owner Jonathan Shead, Operations Manager Rebecca Berry and all the staff for an outstanding job of looking after our guests.

On March 1st & 2nd of this year Knight Inlet Lodge organized a pair evening receptions in our provincial capital with both the Government Members of the Legislature and the Opposition Members. The goal of the receptions was to enlighten the Members on the value of bear viewing to the Province of British Columbia. Attended by Knight Inlet Lodge, The Brown Bear Research Network and many of its friends in the bear viewing industry the evenings were the second annual events with the MLA's. To see some of the media coverage generated, including an interview with Knight Inlet Lodge owner Dean Wyatt, click here

Knight Inlet Lodge has a busy social media life with Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and Youtube pages for you to enjoy. Remember we are always looking for photos and videos to share so if you have any from your visit, regardless of when, we would love to see them. Contact phil@grizzlytours.com to share.

Our thanks to everyone that contributed photos to this newsletter. We couldn’t do it without you.

Back to top

---

A look back at 2015

As mentioned earlier 2015 was a fantastic year for the lodge with record numbers of guests and outstanding wildlife viewing. In no particular order some of the highlights were.

1. Lenore arriving with her new cub which we named Stella
2. Amber deciding to swim out to our breakwater repeatedly much to the delight of our guests but not so much for the seals that like to sleep on it!
3. Jacques the diving bear showing off his very unique fishing method.
4. A small pod of Humpback whales spending a number of weeks in Glendale Cove and the surrounding area from the middle of September until the middle of October.
5. Guide Tamar Glouberman being the subject of a French Canadian television show on "extreme adventure Guides". Scheduled to air in September we will update details closer to the time.
6. Hosting a Canadian Tourism Commission / Destination B.C. visit featuring Bloggers Gary Bembridge and Zoe Dawes. To see what they had to say about their visit check out their websites Gary and Zoe.

Back to top

---

Online store

Knight Inlet Lodge is pleased to introduce our brand new online store. The store has clothing, hats, jewelry, books and souvenir items for you to browse.

For all our past guests that wish they'd "bought that t-shirt when I was at the lodge" this is your chance!

Back to top

---

Brown Bear Research Network and Knight Inlet Lodge

The Brown Bear Research Network is a community of Scientists and Commercial Bear-Viewing Companies committed to the conservation of grizzly bears in British Columbia. Knight Inlet Lodge is proud to be the first company to join and contribute to the fund. The goal of the Network is to increase the volume of independent research carried out on grizzly bears in B.C. Their aim is to foster new, innovative research projects that address current conservation priorities for grizzly bears.

This is a very exciting and long overdue concept that will provide a much better understanding of grizzly bears and their needs.

Back to top

---

Spectacled Bear conservation

The cute little, we sell 2 sizes, handmade bears that we have for sale at the lodge and online help to support spectacled bear conservation in Peru. To find out more about this organization take a look at their website

Back to top

---

Brian's story

Knight Inlet Lodge Operations Manager Brian Collen kindly agreed to answer a few questions for us. Interesting answers from an interesting guy!

1. What did you do before joining Knight Inlet Lodge?

   Prior to joining Knight Inlet Lodge I owned and operated a sea kayak touring company, conducting 3 to 6-day wilderness camping, Mothership and Lodge based tours on Vancouver Island. The focus of our tours was wildlife viewing and coastal exploration.

2. If there is one thing that you think defines the lodge for you what is it?

   Commitment. Knight Inlet Lodge's commitment to the conservation of the area and the wildlife that inhabitats it. Through careful co-existence planning I believe that Knight Inlet Lodge is providing benefits to our visitors and the wildlife that inhabit the area.

3. What do you like to do in your free time?

   In the off season I play competitive badminton a few times a week, it is a fast paced activity that affords me a great workout while having some fun. I enjoy getting out on my mountain bike for trail rides, and hiking in the local mountains and along local trails whenever possible. And of course getting on the ocean in my kayak whenever possible!

4. What is the funniest question a guest has ever asked you?

   I would have to say the funniest question was the time I was standing on the dock speaking with one of the guests, who was enthusiastically recounting their days experiences with me, and in the excitement of the moment asked me what elevation was the lodge at. I just had to smile and ask them if they would like to reconsider that question before I answered, we had a good laugh over it.

5. Your favourite bear to watch

   My favourite adult bear has to be Bella. She was the bear that I had a lot of exposure to the first season I worked at the lodge, and for some reason was really drawn to her. She has an interesting life history, and is a bear that we typically are privileged to see throughout the season. I am always on the outlook for her as one of the first bears to appear in early summer. A young sub-adult we know as Amber is another favourite, and she happens to be one of Bella's offspring. This young bear has an attitude that makes her very endearing to watch, she is tenacious and determined.

6. What would you say is the one thing that surprised you the most about working at Knight Inlet Lodge?

   The guests and the staff. The guests bring an enthusiasm and an appreciation that is contagious, which constantly reminds me why we are there and the staff's commitment and dedication to everything that we do.

Back to top

---